Camera bag recommendations please!

[ChipsAndCheese]

I have picked up my new Nikon D5100 and am very pleased with it so far. Next thing to sort is a good SLR backpack. I could do with one that can take the camera and a couple of lenses, keeping them nicely secure and protected, with space for non-camera gear (such as large headphones, magazines, books, etc) so I can also use it as my hand luggage bag on aeroplanes.

Any recommendations for a good durable bag, that will be comfortable to wear and won't break and spill my camera gear everywhere, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Elderly]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... advice

[ChipsAndCheese]

Excellent, thanks, I'll have a read.

[RJB_666]

I've just purchased a lowepro fastpack 200. Fits my 60D with 100-300 attached with bags of room spare. As well as a load of other spare lenses and other bits and bobs. Nice size as well.

[Gad-Westy]

The Tarmac adventure 6 is a great bag. I bought one for exactly the same reason as you and even though my gear has now outgrown it, I still use it a lot. It's also a total bargain on amazon at the moment.

[markmullen]

I've got a Kata 467i for jobs like that, plenty of room for a small kit, plus personal gear, and a laptop (it takes a 15" Macbook Pro).

[GenePoolReject13]

I have a lowepro slingshot which is both comfortable to wear and has plenty of space for various kit. Not sure it would be ideal for carrying much else though, although I think there is a bigger version available than the one I have.
Also, a single strap and the way the main compartment opens makes it very easy to swap lenses in crowded or tight spaces.

[Celtic Dragon]

Crumpler. I have 2 and the Farmer John when I was papping, contained 2 bodies, flashgun, 17 - 55, 28- 70 and 70 - 200 plus 1.4 converter and a laptop. Not light by anymeans but not a stitch broke.

/end of.

[LongQ]

Lowe Pro Compuday Photo 250 works for me when I have similar requirements. (Though I would leave the cans behind and get some in ear buds for more compact travelling and, possibly, better sound over all.)

[ChipsAndCheese]

LongQ said:

Though I would leave the cans behind and get some in ear buds for more compact travelling and, possibly, better sound over all.

Ah, the headphones are the one thing (besides the camera) that I definitely can't leave behind. They're noise cancelling Bose QC15s and they are an absolute joy to use on aeroplanes - I can highly recommend them.

Edited by ChipsAndCheese on Thursday 12th April 10:15

[MikeGTi]

I mainly use a LowePro Flipside 300 and a Think Tank Retrospective 10 for carrying my stuff around.

Retro 10 probably wouldn't take magazines etc though tbh.

[Craikeybaby]

I'm a fan of the FStop Gear range, the bags and camera padding are separate (padding attaches inside and you access it through the back panel) so you can mix and match depending on how much camera/other gear you need to carry.

[Ireland]

I got a Lowepro 400 and it does everything the OP wants and it does fit as hand luggage.

[ChipsAndCheese]

Thanks for all of the advice. I followed the Crumpler advice in the end and found this one:

Nikon Crumpler Muffin Top Half Photo Backpack




It arrived today and I am pleased with it. It is the perfect size, with room for my camera gear and other essentials, plus it can also fit a laptop in it, so enough room to use that space for magazines if not carrying a laptop. Plus, with it being Nikon branded it was cheaper than the other Crumpler bags of the same style.

[K12beano]

That looks




...#Bagenvy

[chopper602]

I have a Lowepro Slingshot 200 for sale if you're interested . . . perfect condition, only being replaced with a 300 to fit my monster lens in!

[tenohfive]

Will any of the above hold the usual camera gear plus waterproofs, netbook, food and drink for a days walking whilst still being waterproof? Something with hoops/straps that I can tie a normal tripod onto would be a bonus.

I've been looking at the Lowepro Rover AW II as an option for my Torridon trip - carrying my existing shoulder bag plus a normal day sack seems awkward.

[GetCarter]

tenohfive said:

Will any of the above hold the usual camera gear plus waterproofs, netbook, food and drink for a days walking whilst still being waterproof? Something with hoops/straps that I can tie a normal tripod onto would be a bonus.

I've been looking at the Lowepro Rover AW II as an option for my Torridon trip - carrying my existing shoulder bag plus a normal day sack seems awkward.

You could always send it up in the post to me

I have Lowepro and several others, but for sheer cleverness (pockets for EVERYTHING!) check out: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/

ETA Torridon today



...and if the weather is good I HIGHLY recommend going out with Torridon Sea Tours.

http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Leaving_01.wmv (20 mb wmv file shot on Thursday)

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 14th April 13:35

[tenohfive]

GetCarter said:

You could always send it up in the post to me

I have Lowepro and several others, but for sheer cleverness (pockets for EVERYTHING!) check out: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/

ETA Torridon today



...and if the weather is good I HIGHLY recommend going out with Torridon Sea Tours.

http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Leaving_01.wmv (20 mb wmv file shot on Thursday)

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 14th April 13:35

Looks stunning as usual Steve. I can't wait.

The Think Tank bags do look good but are quite pricey - the cheapest I can find is £100, roughly double what I wanted to spend. None second hand either. Pity as they look very good and I've heard good things about them on here, and I love anything that's cleverly designed - be it a 42" plasma or a good tin opener.

I'll look into the Sea Tours - bit of an opportunity for you there I would have thought as their website photo's are pixellated to buggery.

[GetCarter]

tenohfive said:

bit of an opportunity for you there I would have thought as their website photo's are pixellated to buggery.

They are my photos, but not my fault! (I didn't screw up the website build!)

They use my photos, they give me a ride on the boat FOC whenever I like. Works well.